Improvement in thrashing-machines



C. S. HALL.

Thrashing-Machines.

N0. 136,238, Patented Feb.25,1873.

- Hint 858 Irurenfinv Yj mm g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. 7

CHARLES s. HALL, on aoonnsrnn, new YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN THRAS HING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No, 136,238, dated February 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GHAnLEs S. HALL, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Grain-Thrashin g Separators, of which the following is a specification:

This invention consists, first, in the employment in this class of separators of two short elevator-belts, constructed and arranged with relation to each other so as to afi'ord nearly double the separating capacity of the machine without any perceptible enlargement of it; and, second, in an improved adjustable chute-grate.

Figure l is a sectional longitudinal elevation of the frame of an ordinary grain-thrashing separator having my improvements attached. Fig. 2 is a plan or top "iew of my improved chute-grate G.

The sill A and the other portions of the frame, except the bar B and post P, are the same as heretofore made. The primary belt 0 is made much shorter than in the ordinary machines, and is hung to run. somewhat steeper. The secondary or auxiliary belt D is constructed the same as belt (J, and it is arranged, as shown, so as to receive the grain from said belt 0 which may have been separated from the straw while passing over it. The belts are provided at the lower end with suitable serew-tighteners s, and are ordinary close or bucket conveyer-belts. By means of this arrangement of the double separator-belts with relation to each other and to the beaters and pickers, the mixed straw and grain from the thrashing-cylinder receives a much greater agitation, and therefore a more thorough separation, with a trifling increase of expense and power, than is possible with ordinary separators of this class, having one long belt not running so steep.

It will be seen that by means of the direetion or chute-grate G the straw discharging from the cylinder may be directed upward so as to permit the kernels of grain to be driven through the mass .of straw by momentum, and be more thoroughly separated therefrom at this point than is possible when the mass is permitted to strike lower down upon the elevator-belt, in which latter case the grain has to move more directly in line with the mass of straw, &c. The operation is also greatly assisted by the fall of the straw, 850., from the first upon the second belt. The first belt (J passes up quite steeply from about underneath the concave to its upper pulley. The second belt D has its lower bearing underneath about the center of the first belt instead of at the end thereof, which is the usual construction in thrashers using two raddles. Its lower and upper pulleys are in planes a little above the corresponding pulleys of belt 0, and both belts run parallel, or nearly so, and make an angle of about forty degrees, more or less, with the bed A of the machine.

The heater E and picker F are constructed and arranged as shown so as to increase the agitation of the straw for the purpose of more effectually separating the grain therefrom. There should alsobe a picker, arranged as indicated by the dotted lines at F, to produce an additional agitation of the straw while being delivered from the belt D to the ordinary open raddle-belt extending out in the'direetion of the dotted lines at a. The chutegrate G- is composed of cast-iron or other suitable material, and is provided with a series of slightly-curved fingers or ribs, 0, the interstices i being open and unobstructed at the outer or adjustable edge of the rack or grate. It is provided with pivotal bearings e at the inner edge, and the opposite edge is made adjustable by means of the threaded hanger-rods '2', the same as in my patent of December 19, 1871. By means of the open interstices 1', which constitute the improvement upon my said former patent, it is impossible to clog the grate while the desired direction is given to the discharging straw.

The straw and more or less of the grain intermixed therewith pass from the thrashing-cylinder H over the grate G onto the primary belt 0, and are agitated by the beater E, which effects a partial separation. They are then lifted by the picker F from the belt U and thrown upon the secondary belt I), producing a still further agitation, and therefore separation of the grain from the straw. The agitation is repeated by the picker at 1 and the final separation is effected upon the raddle at a.

, What I claim as my invention is- 1. The relative arrangement, in grain-thrash ing separators, of the primary and secondary substantially as shown and described, for the belts 0 and D, in combination with the thrashpurpose set forth.

ing-cylinder H, chute-grate G, beater E, and CHARLES S. HALL. pickers F and F, and the ordinary open radrlle a, as and for the purposes set forth. Witnesses:

2. The swinging or adjustable grate G, hav- H. SARGENT, ing the interstices i, open at the outer erlge, VM. S. LOUGHBOROUGH. 

